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Cuban leader seeks Russian boost Cuban leader seeks Russian boost
(about 6 hours later)
Cuban President Raul Castro has arrived in Moscow for the first such visit since the end of the Cold War.Cuban President Raul Castro has arrived in Moscow for the first such visit since the end of the Cold War.
Mr Castro, who officially took over as president from his brother, Fidel, in February 2008, has said he wants to expand ties with Russia.Mr Castro, who officially took over as president from his brother, Fidel, in February 2008, has said he wants to expand ties with Russia.
Relations cooled after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and the flow of trade and subsidies to Cuba ended.Relations cooled after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and the flow of trade and subsidies to Cuba ended.
But relations have warmed recently. Mr Castro's visit follows one to Havana by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.But relations have warmed recently. Mr Castro's visit follows one to Havana by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
"Relations between Russia and Cuba are excellent and this visit will serve to strengthen ties between our countries," Mr Castro told the Russian Itar-Tass news agency ahead of his arrival."Relations between Russia and Cuba are excellent and this visit will serve to strengthen ties between our countries," Mr Castro told the Russian Itar-Tass news agency ahead of his arrival.
Ties between the two nations went through a cool period in the 1990s but have grown closer over the past few months.
Russia was the first country to send humanitarian aid to Cuba after two major hurricanes last year, and the two countries signed major trade deals in November ahead of the visit by Mr Medvedev.Russia was the first country to send humanitarian aid to Cuba after two major hurricanes last year, and the two countries signed major trade deals in November ahead of the visit by Mr Medvedev.
In December, a group of Russian warships visited Havana during a tour of the Caribbean.In December, a group of Russian warships visited Havana during a tour of the Caribbean.
A number of business deals are likely to be signed during Mr Castro's visit. Economic interests
He is to meet Mr Medvedev on Thursday and formal talks between the two sides are scheduled for Friday. Mr Castro is to meet Mr Medvedev on Thursday and formal talks between the two sides are scheduled for Friday.
Russia has concrete economic interests in Cuba and a number of business deals are likely to be signed during Mr Castro's visit. Beyond the economic angle, there is an ideological and political tinge to the visit for both sides Emilio San PedroBBC Americas analyst
Russian oil firms are said to be keen to join international firms drilling off the Cuban coast for oil.
But beyond the economic angle, there is an ideological and political tinge to the visit for both sides, says the BBC's Emilio San Pedro in Washington.
With its increased involvement in Latin America, Russia has been making it known that it too can play in what the US considers its backyard, in the way Washington has been playing in what Moscow considers its back yard - Eastern Europe - for years, our correspondent says.
Meanwhile, Cuba is letting the newly installed Obama administration know that while it is prepared to look at ways of improving ties with the US, it will not sit with its arms crossed waiting for a move from Washington, our correspondent adds.
It is willing and able to look elsewhere, as it has in the past, to further its aims.